Stepping into 2018: Goals and Resolutions

If you’re anything like me, you aim to set New Year’s resolutions and then inevitably fail to meet every single one of them.

Why do we do this to ourselves over and over each year?

When I told myself on January 1 that I was going to blog more in the New Year, I really wanted to stick to it. But here’s the thing:

Having a New Year’s resolution just for the sake of having one is a sure-fire way to not achieve those goals.

In my opinion, you should set goals at a time when you are motivated and capable of putting in the time and effort to achieve them. Not when society tells you that its time for you to set your goals for the year.

So here I am, sliding in three weeks late on my first post of 2018 because you know what?

I wasn’t ready.

I mentioned in previous posts that I had been struggling with a toxic work environment but I started a new job on January 2 and I am loving it. I feel like a weight has been lifted but in many ways by brain has been overloaded with information.

Even though I am exhausted at the end of the day, I still wake up every morning at 5:20am to write.

And guess what?

I’ve gotten a little over 12,000 words written in the past three weeks and this time, I feel like they are good, quality words. I spent a ton of time outlining this story and really discovering where it could go and who my characters are.

And I truly believe those words are a product of being in a healthy place emotionally. I feel a better balance between my work and home life. I am finally excited and settling into the new year.

So what are my New Year’s resolutions? I don’t have any in the traditional sense.

But what I do have is the drive for accomplishing my dream of publishing my first book.

So, to do that, I’m going to break it down into steps.

(Because steps are less intimidating.)

Step 1: WRITE the first draft of my novel.

Step 2: Work with an editor to EDIT my novel.

Step 3: Get a cover designed and PUBLISH my novel.

Step 4: MARKET my novel.

Step 5: REPEAT (forever)

I know that life happens and we can’t always anticipate whats to come. But my hope is that by focusing on these steps, I’ll reach my dream this year. The difference this time is, I’m ready.

What about you? What steps or goals have you set for yourself this year?
I’d love to hear about them. Feel free to drop a comment or tweet at me!

Next time, I’ll share with you the tools I’ve been using to outline my book and develop my characters so you can get started this year too.

4 thoughts on “Stepping into 2018: Goals and Resolutions”

This was such a refreshing read, seeing someone take steps when they are ready rather than falling prey to peer pressure. From what I can sense from this post, you are at a happy place and I hope it only gets better from here. Wish you the very best for your novel. 💗

Hi! I made 2 resolutions: to befriend the 21st century and start to blog, and to write about acts of kindness that I’ve experienced, heard about or witnessed. So far, so good, if somewhat slowly 😀 Best of luck with your book! Cheering you on!

Those are two great resolutions! I’m all for bringing more awareness to the acts of kindness we experience every day. Too often we focus on the negative things that happen to us. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, I appreciate it. Good luck to you and your blog as well!

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About the Author

Emerson Novak is an aspiring science fiction and fantasy author with an addiction to fresh roasted coffee. An introvert at heart, Emerson decided to blog about her journey to becoming a writer in an effort to connect with fellow humans who also, at times, feel a little socially awkward.